LeBron James’ Home Vandalised With Racial Slur; Police Investigating as a “Hate Crime”

LeBron James’ home has been tagged with a racial slur, just one day before his Cleveland Cavaliers begin defending their NBA title against the Golden State Warriors.

According to the New York Times, police are investigating the act as a “hate crime”.

The vandalism took place at his Los Angeles house. James’ wife and three children were at their family home in Ohio at the time of the incident.

James—who has been public about his politics, siding with Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential campaign, and spoken out against the killing of young black men by police officers—met with press to talk openly about the experience, saying “being black in America is tough.”

He went on to talk about “hate in America”, conceding, “if this sheds a light and continues to keep the conversation going on my behalf, then I’m okay with it”.

"It just goes to show that racism will always be a part of the world, a part of America," he added.

"Hate in America, especially for African Americans, is living every day. Even though it's concealed most of the time, even though people hide their faces and will say things about you and when they see you they smile in your face, it's alive every single day."

You can watch his statement below.

LeBron James responds to the vandalism incident at his home pic.twitter.com/goMoicIIit

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 31, 2017

Game 1 of the NBA Finals begins tomorrow. It marks James’ seventh consecutive trip to the big show.

Photo: Twitter (Sports Illustrated)